Depth Is Taking a Holiday

Those searching for large fields on Columbus Day won’t find them at Santa Anita.

Four of the nine races on today’s special holiday card have only six runners, including the $75,000 Henry P. Russell Handicap at 11/8 miles on the turf.

A restricted race for older horses, the Russell may not have attracted many participants, but it is contentious.

Half of the field enters having won their last start and the six runners have combined to win 32 races, topped by Quake, who has seven victories.

Owned and bred by Herman Sarkowsky and Marty Wygod, the 6-year-old Capote gelding has found a home on the turf for trainer Richard Mandella.

Quake has won three of his last four on the surface. He is wheeled back quickly after running down favored Speak In Passing in an optional claimer on Sept. 28. Corey Nakatani will again ride.

Besides Quake, Kerrygold, making his first start since finishing sixth in the Dallas Turf Cup at Lone Star Park on June 16, is the only other Russell starter who has won on the Santa Anita turf. The 5-year-old French bred won the San Marino Handicap earlier this year for trainer Darrell Vienna and the Red Baron’s Barn.

Rounding out the field are Seinne, a Chilean-bred who won his U.S. debut on the main track last month at Del Mar and who has won three times on the grass, Delta Form, an Australian-bred who has won six of 19, Agol Lack, who has been 1-2-3 in nine of 11 turf races, and Madraar, who won six of 18 racing in the United Arab Emirates and who will be making his first start since April 14.

Race of the day: The second is a wide-open turf affair for 3-year-old fillies. Ten were entered and the race could go a number of different ways. None of those scheduled to go are coming off victories.

Who’s hot: Eddie Delahoussaye. The rider won four times on Saturday, sweeping the Pick Four with come-from-behind victories on Black Mercury, Swept Overboard, The Price Spirit and Well Known Act.

Who’s not: The field in today’s ninth race. The 10 fillies and mares entered in the $32,000 maiden claimer are a combined 0 for 30.

Exotically speaking: A trifecta keying Jalisco on top in the fifth race with Re Vote, Gin Running and Dynamistic in the two hole and all in the three spot.